As COVID-19 continues to spread and impact more New Orleanians, we all need to do our part to curb community spread and reduce the burden on our healthcare system. The Greenway is still open and it’s one of the essential places you can go for exercise during the current Stay Home mandate, as long as you’re not in a group, and staying at least 6 feet from others. In addition to the basic CDC guidance, there are a handful of ways we can all keep each other safe while enjoying the Greenway we love. Here are some tips on safe outdoor exercise, adapted from the New York Times:

Don't leave home if you’re not feeling well, or if you’ve come into contact with someone with COVID-19 symptoms.

Keep a 6 ft distance from others - The Greenway Trail is 12 feet wide, so keep to the outer edges of the trail and pass one at a time.

Look for the least crowded path. If your schedule is flexible, try going to the Greenway when it’s less crowded, like early morning and mid-day.

Don't gather in groups - this includes sports like basketball, football, soccer, and frisbee that require you to come in close contact with others or to touch a shared object.

Keep off fitness parks and playgrounds. For the safety of our community, the Greenway's fitness parks and playgrounds are closed.

Avoid water fountains. Instead, bring your own water bottle.

Wash your handswith soap and water before and after you go outside.

When you get home, take off your shoes at the door.

Stay Up to Date! Be sure you're getting reliable information about the developing outbreak: check ready.nola.gov for updates about New Orleans' COVID-19 response.

On March 10th, the ribbon cutting for the Lafitte Greenway Shelter formally the city’s Brake Tag Station took place. With its renovations worth $1.5 million this new multipurpose facility will be used for programming, and rentals. We hope to foster our mission and vision as we work to bring vibrancy to this space through community events, like Greenway Festivities, along the Greenway. Be on the lookout for all the possibilities to come, so be sure to sign up for our newsletter here so you are up to date on future programming.

Greenway Fest: Postponed & Transformed

Friends of Lafitte Greenway's team has been working closely with City officials and health experts to monitor the spread of Coronavirus in Louisiana. Today, we have the opportunity to curb the spread of the virus, support public health, and relieve pressure on our healthcare system by postponing and transforming Greenway Fest, originally scheduled for Saturday, March 21st.

Spread the Fest - Not the virus

This year only, Greenway Fest will be transformed into Greenway Festivities this summer/fall: a series of music, arts, and cultural celebrations. Greenway Festivities will take the best of the Fest and spread it out throughout the season and along the trail.

A new year, a new stellar team of Greenway Ambassadors. Thanks to all who applied this year to be a Greenway Ambassador, we’ve doubled the number of applicants and have managed to put together a great team! Look out for some new and familiar faces as we welcome to the team Lara Schaberg, Jeffery Nixon, Shaquilla Thomas, John Coyle, Asika Bennett, and Andrew Lagrand. Looking forward to an amazing programming year. Thank-you to Foundation for Louisiana and The Keller Family Foundation for their support of the program.

Friends of Lafitte Greenway is thrilled to welcome a fantastic group of new members to our Board of Directors: Michael Ricks, Misty Frye, Mike Leitzinger, Melissa Lee, Debbie de la Houssaye, and Emily Bullock. These folks were elected to the board by Greenway members at our Annual Membership Meeting this January. Read about our board members on our website: Our Team.

The Mystic Krewe of Nyx is building an all-inclusive playground on the Greenway. It is located next to the Mid City post office and across from the Jefferson Davis Parkway roundabout. It will be a playground for children of all abilities to play and grow. Join us at the ribbon cutting ceremony! It will be a community celebration with food, drinks and music.

We're hiring!

Friends of Lafitte Greenway is seeking a personable, organized, and passionate fundraiser to join our team. Find more information below.

Title: Development Manager, Friends of Lafitte Greenway

Reports to: Executive Director

General Job Description: The Development Manager will manage Friends of Lafitte Greenway’s growth in fundraising through philanthropic grants, corporate and local business sponsorship, and individual giving. In coordination with the Executive Director and board of directors, the Development Manager will develop and support the execution of an annual fundraising plan. Activities include donor prospecting, donor development and cultivation, grant writing, constituent relationship data management, donor communications, and fundraising event coordination. Responsibilities may also include communications and administrative support functions. This position reports to the Executive Director, and works in close coordination with the Program Director. This is a full-time position.

Essential Responsibilities/Functions

Fundraising Planning

In coordination with Executive Director and committees, develop annual fundraising plan with specific and ambitious targets for each fundraising stream: philanthropic grants, corporate and business sponsorship, earned income, and individual contributions.

Activate staff, board members and volunteers to support the execution of the annual fundraising plan.

Expand the donor pipeline and grant opportunities through prospect identification and research.

Plan and coordinate small fundraising events and donor appreciation events in accordance with the annual fundraising plan.

Support Program Director in planning and executing major revenue-generating events-- including the spring Greenway Festival and fall Greenway Soirée gala.

Ability to work in a deadline-oriented office in a complex, fast-moving, and changing environment

Preferred Skills and Attributes

Graphic Design experience preferred

Proven record of securing successful grants, ranging from $5,000 to $100,000

Data management skills preferred.

Event planning experience

Salary and Benefits: Commensurate with experience

Non Discrimination

Friends of Lafitte Greenway is an equal-opportunity employer, and encourages individuals of all backgrounds to apply for this position. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard for race, sex, color, religion, gender, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, culture, or ancestry. Friends will conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check, and no job application submitted prior to such interview shall inquire into an applicant's criminal history. If this position is subject to a background check for any convictions related to its responsibilities and requirements, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. Criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate.

Carnival season has begun, and with it, parades and festivities in our streets. “How can bicyclists and drivers share the road to Carnival safely?” here are some tips and tricks you can follow to ensure for a much safer carnival!

We're proud of our very own Nellie Catzen and Sophie Vorhoff for being awarded Bike Easy's Advocate of the Year Award in 2019. Thanks, Sophie and Nellie, for your fearless leadership to make New Orleans streets safer for all, and thanks to our friends at Bike Easy for the honor.

Help ensure that the Greenway is a safe, active, and vibrant public space.

To apply for a board member position: Please submit a letter-of-interest and resume or equivalent to the Nominating Committee at apply@lafittegreenway.org by Monday, January 6, 2020.

Call for board members -2020-2023 Term:

Friends of Lafitte Greenway was formed in early 2006 by New Orleans community members who saw an opportunity to rethink their community’s landscape to enhance livability, environmental sustainability, open space equity, health, and revitalization. The organization built a network of diverse constituents who shared its vision of preserving the continuous open space in the former Lafitte rail corridor, and developing a Greenway that encourages active living, stimulates economic development, and links adjacent neighborhoods, cultural amenities, historic sites, and public spaces.

The Lafitte Greenway opened in November 2015 as a 2.6 mile pedestrian and bike path and linear park, connecting neighborhoods from Armstrong Park to City Park. The backbone of New Orleans' bike network, the Greenway is now used by 320,000 people annually.

Friends of Lafitte Greenway (Friends) is the City of New Orleans and the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission’s (NORD’s) official partner, working together to program, develop, and steward the Greenway. Friends is a community-driven organization, guided by a Board of Directors, members, volunteers, Ambassadors, and staff.

Mission:

To build, program, and promote the Lafitte Greenway as a great public space.

Vision:

A healthy and vibrant public space that connects people to nature, their destinations, and each other.

Values:

Accountability ∙ Equity ∙ Sustainability ∙ Collaboration ∙ Joy

During your 3-year tenure the organization has big plans to implement our Strategic Plan, including the following key initiatives:

Grow the Greenway’s role as a highly-used, community-oriented public space through expanded arts, cultural, and recreational programs, and excellent design and capital development.

Ensure that the Greenway is a well-maintained ecosystem that is thriving, attractive and sustainable through stewardship, maintenance, and environmental education.

Expand the Greenway’s role as a transportation connector that safely links neighborhoods and locations along the Greenway through design, development, and education.